Bafana back in action

CAMP:  41-member preliminary squad announced for two international matches in June

By Sports Reporter

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 41-member preliminary squad for the two international friendly matches that will be played at home in June 2025.

Broos’ charges will play against Tanzania and a second opponent to be confirmed in the coming days. The first match against Tanzania will be played at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, on Friday, 6 June 2025 (kick off is at 19h30).

The team will report for camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June 2025 and then travel to Polokwane on the same day. Mamelodi Sundowns players were not selected as they will be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup to be played in the United States of America from 14 June – to 13 July 2025.

In their last outing Bafana Bafana beat Benin 2-0 in a crunch FIFA World Cup qualifier at a sweltering Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in March to maintain their lead in Group C.

It was the occasion of Percy Tau’s 50th cap and while he did not find the back of the net himself, he worked very hard to ensure that coach Hugo Broos’ charges return home with the priceless three points.

Second half goals from Lyle Foster in the 52nd minute and Jayden Adams in the 84th minute were enough to give the visitors victory away from home.

Broos had said that he wanted six points from the two matches against Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday last week and against Benin in Cote d’Ivoire, and his charges met the challenge.

The Bafana Bafana coach said the victory was down to a very good analysis of the opponent and his players followed the instructions to the book.

“We knew where we could be dangerous against Benin. They are a good team, but what we did very well today was to keep possession and wait for the right moments,” he said.

It was a tough game in Cote d’Ivoire, but this Bafana Bafana side has proved time and time again that they can grind out the result in difficult conditions.

Tanzania previous match was against Morocco in World Championship Qual. CAF , the match ended with result 2 – 0 (Morocco won the match).

Tanzania will play the next official match against Congo Republic on Sep 1, 2025, in a World Championship qualifier.